#Kinderblog2012: Question numero deux!

#kinderblog2012 Challenge Question 2: Tell us about one (or two, or a few) of the classrooms you have had over the years. Not the kids, the ROOMS. What have you  loved? What have you hated? How did you FEEL in the space? What did you DO with the space that, looking back, seems ridiculous? Or brilliant? We all spend so much time in our classrooms, we really do develop a relationship with the physical space. Tell us about that (those) relationship(s).

Great question. Here is a general reflection of my current grade 1 classroom.

LOVE

• natural light (skylights)
• space for working stations-not JUST desks
• NO Aircon! Doesn’t get too hot here anyhow
• proximity to other classrooms
• its ‘owned’ by the kids-its their space

HATE

• carpet in grade 1 -CARPET!
• flouro lights
• cupboards (well I removed the doors for kid friendly access its a bit better)
• some shelving too high for little people
• walls in general

I like the space, I think its collaborative enough. We are not at desks all day and have a nice carpet meeting area.

At the start of the year, I get my learners to tell me and each other how we should set up the room. What I need to do though is to have the room empty on the first day, and have them visualize, decide how to arrange. If I had an older class, what great authentic numeracy inquiry this would be! Think of the process.

As the class is our personal learning space, I do my best to allow my kids to move around freely, organise things.

No matter what the size or layout of the room, if ownership is there, it can be a very special place to learn.